Cosmetic dentistry smile makeover simulations.

Using dental imaging software to show how cosmetic dentists can transform smiles.

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Are you curious about how your dentist might use cosmetic dentistry techniques such as porcelain veneers, teeth whitening treatments, and dental crowns to make changes with the appearance of your smile? If so, take a look at our before-and-after makeover simulation picture sets. These are actual photographs people have sent in that we've edited so to illustrate the types of changes a dentist using modern cosmetic dental procedures can make with a person's smile.

A review of cosmetic dentistry makeover techniques.

Here's an overview, as well as some points of comparison, of the types of cosmetic dental work we illustrate in our makeover simulation pictures. These are common dental procedures that any general dentist, not just a cosmetic dentist, could most likely provide.

Teeth whitening.

Using a teeth whitening process can be one of the simplest and least expensive ways to make a substantial cosmetic improvement with a person's smile. There are a number of different whitening techniques that might be employed, including: professional teeth whitening treatments, tray-based teeth whitening, teeth whitening strips, and paint-on teeth whiteners.

While most teeth whitening techniques can usually be counted on to make some color change with the shade of a person's teeth, one disadvantage of any whitening process is that (with a few exceptions) it will not produce a lightening effect on existing dental work (fillings, crowns, etc...). Additionally, that teeth whitening effect that is achieved will have a tendency to fade with time.

Dental bonding.

The term "dental bonding" can refer to a number of different, yet related, dental techniques. In general, after a tooth's surface has been properly prepared, dental bonding can refer to any process where a dentist attaches white colored dental filling material to a tooth.

Dental bonding might be utilized as a way to improve the appearance of a defect found on the surface of a tooth, to replace tooth structure that has chipped or broken off, or to repair damage caused by tooth decay. This technique can also be used to resurface the entire front side of a tooth, just to improve its cosmetic appearance. The pages of our Dental Bonding topic discuss each of these types of treatments in more detail.

When compared with other cosmetic dentistry procedures dental bonding can be relatively inexpensive, and is usually a "completed in one visit" type dental procedure. One disadvantage of dental bonding is that it has a tendency to stain over time and in general isn't as lasting or durable as other cosmetic dental procedures. However, and one more point in the plus column, if dental bonding does chip or break it can usually be easily patched or repaired.

Porcelain veneers.

A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded onto the front surface of a tooth so to improve its cosmetic appearance. We review the process of placing porcelain veneers in detail on the pages of our Porcelain Veneer topic.

A porcelain veneer can be an excellent way to make a cosmetic change for a tooth. As compared to dental bonding, porcelain veneers usually look more natural and they resisting staining well. As a disadvantage however, porcelain veneers are usually more expensive and if used in the wrong application can be prone to breaking. Unlike dental bonding, if a porcelain veneer does break typically the whole veneer must be replaced. It usually cannot be patched or repaired.

Dental crowns.

Dental crowns can be used to make the same type of major cosmetic changes for teeth that porcelain veneers can. However, unlike porcelain veneers which only cover over the front sides of teeth, dental crowns cup over and encase the entire aspect of a tooth that lies above the gum line. The pages of our Dental Crowns topic discuss this type of dental treatment in detail.

In comparison to porcelain veneers, dental crowns are stronger and more durable. But because making a dental crown involves trimming away a significant amount of tooth structure, they usually aren't the best choice for making a cosmetic change for a tooth unless the tooth also requires the non-cosmetic benefits that crowns can provide. Like porcelain veneers, there is typically a fair amount of cost involved when dental crowns are made.

Understanding the life-span of cosmetic dental work.

We would like to mention that some of the cosmetic changes you might choose to make with your teeth could have very long-term consequences. Please realize that no dental work will last forever. This is especially true when cosmetics are a primary consideration.

While a disadvantage of any teeth whitening method is that its effects will fade with time, a benefit of whitening in general is that as a process it makes no structural changes to a tooth. At some point in the future you can decide to or decide not to undergo the teeth whitening process again. Either choice is entirely optional.

To the contrary, having porcelain veneers or dental crowns placed means that there will always need to be a porcelain veneer or dental crown on the tooth. So, if a crown or veneer comes off, breaks, or just deteriorates from a standpoint of its appearance, another crown or veneer will need to be made. (You will have to ask your dentist for details regarding your specific situation but in general this applies to dental bonding as well.)

Don't just be sold a bill of goods. Ask your dentist about the cosmetic changes they can offer, but also ask about their expectations for the longevity of the treatment. Ask what solutions will be available to you at that point in time when the original cosmetic appearance of the dental work has deteriorated.

Our cosmetic dentistry makeover simulations.

With each of the before-and-after smile makeover simulation picture sets listed below we provide text that outlines the various cosmetic dentistry procedures that a dentist might use so to make the changes we have illustrated. You do need to realize however that our "armchair" cosmetic dentistry treatment plans have been developed by way of just reviewing a photograph. It would only be after a dentist had performed a thorough examination that a definitive cosmetic dentistry treatment plan, one that is best for the person's precise situation, could be developed.

(When we refer to "right" or "left" in our explanatory text we mean the dental patient's right or left.)

Additional cosmetic dentistry smile makeover pictures can be found at Dental-Picture-Show.com.

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